Helping America Cope Full

8/4/2019 Helping America Cope Full

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Dear Families:

As we look to repair the Fire Department family after the tragedy of September 11, we must never forget

those who gave their lives. We must also look at those who survived. The fire department family lost

343 brave people who sacrificed their lives to save others. These heroes had one mission on that day

to save people. We must always remember over 15,000 lives were saved on September 11. That num-

ber is remarkable because it is a tribute to what fire personnel do every day. They save lives.

Thousands of firefighters and EMS personnel worked tirelessly for months to recover fallen victims and

repair the damaged site. This tragedy has taken its toll on all fire department families. We have mourned

together and supported each other through these tragic times. As we look toward the future, we must

support each other in healing as well.

It is our hope that this book will give you the opportunity to discuss the upcoming anniversary with

your families in a safe, non-threatening way. The activities are for adults and children to speak about

this tragedy so we can gain support from one another. Studies have shown, that in the long run,

children who are assisted in their grieving by the adults around them do just fine. Helping children

understand will help them heal. Fear of the unknown is frightening.

Please share this book with your families and use the resources that are available. We can look toward

the future with a sense of understanding and security. As we rebuild the Fire Department, we must

rebuild from our homes first.

Sincerely;

Kerry J. Kelly, MD Susan Magazine

Chief Medical Officer Assistant Commissioner for

Family Assistance


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Reprinted with permission of Sean Delonas and The New York Post


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Helping America Cope: Introductory Section

How To Use This Book 5

Topic 1. A Day We Will Remember - The Facts 6

Topic 2. A Day We Will Remember - Where Were You? 8

Topic 3. Talking About Feelings With Your Child 10

Topic 4. Understanding Stress Reactions 12

II. Helping America Cope: Coping Strategies that Are Helpful

Topic 5. How Does Your Child Cope? 16

Topic 6. Things That Can Help - Normal Routines 18

Topic 7. Things That Can Help - Reducing Exposure 20

Topic 8. Things That Can Help - Staying Physically Healthy 22

III. Helping America Cope: Dealing with Special Situations

Topic 9. Fears And Worries - What You Can Do 24

Topic 10. Intrusive Thoughts And Dreams - What You Can Do 26

Topic 11. Managing Anger - What You Can Do 28

Conflict Resolution 28

Multicultural Awareness 30

Topic 12. Coping With Loss And Sadness - What You Can Do 32

IV. Helping America Cope: Additional Information and Resources

Common Questions And Answers 34

Where Can I Find Additional Assistance? 37

Information For FDNY Families and Helpful Websites 37

FDNY Counseling Service Unit Locations 38

How Can I Help? 39

Questionnaire For Parents 40


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HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Dear Parent or Caring Adult,

In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, many parents expressed concerns about how

these events might affect their children. Common questions were: What should I tell my child? How

can I tell if these events are bothering my child? What can I do to help my child cope with this disaster?This book is designed to help parents address these questions and issues.

Children and adults reactions to the terrorist attacks will vary, depending in part on how close they were to

the events and how much they were directly affected. Because of this, some parents and children may be

more interested in the materials in this book than others. We suggest you read the book first before choosing

which topics and activities to do with your child. In addition, please evaluate your own stress level before

beginning work on this book. If you feel you are having difficulty with stress, talk to another adult before

working on this book with your child.

The book contains activities that parents and caring adults can do together with their children. The activities

are appropriate for children ages 6 to 12 years, but may be adapted for older children as well. We encourage

you to adjust the activities and their pace to your child. Younger children (ages 6 to 8) may need extra help

from a parent, and may prefer to complete some activities by drawing rather than by writing. Younger or

active children may also prefer working on one topic at a time; others may be able to complete two or more

topics in one sitting. Keep in mind that some children prefer to seek out more information than others.

There are 12 Topics covered in this book. For each topic, there is a Parent Page on the left and a Child

Page on the right. Some of the Parent Pages have Joint Activities at the bottom for parents and children

to complete together.

Each Parent Page has instructions and activities for parents -

Each Child Page contains a parallel activity for the child -

The sections of this book have been put together in a suggested sequence. However, feel free to skip

ahead to those that may be especially useful for your child. For example, the Fears and Worries topic,

and the material on pages 34-35 may be of special interest. There are four sections in this book. The first

section, Topics 1-4, has activities that may help you ease into using the book. The second section, Topics

5-8, covers coping skills that should be helpful for most children. The third section, Topics 9-12, focuses

on coping skills to help children with specific situations. The fourth section contains common Questions

and Answers and useful information and resources.

Find a quiet time to complete the activities with your child. Explain to your child that the activities in this

book are informative and fun and will help them cope with any bad feelings that they are having as a result

of the terrorist attacks.

With our best wishes to all Fire Department families,

Annette La Greca Elaine Sevin Scott Sevin


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Children understand events based on their own experiences, which are more limited than adults experi-

ences. Before September 11,2001, many children, especially young children, may not have heard the

word terrorist or understood what this meant. Some might not have understood why adults were so upset

by the events of September 11, or why there was continuous television coverage of the event.

What children did understand, however, was that something was very wrong. Many schools closed, and

children were sent home in the middle of the school day. Their teachers, family and friends were visibly

upset, scared or in shock; many were crying. Even if family members were okay, children may have

seen others who were upset and scared on television or in their neighborhood.

Parent Activity: Check Your Childs Knowledge of the Facts

One way to help a child cope with the events of September 11 and to prevent any misunderstandings is

to review the facts with your child. Talk about the terrorist attacks and make sure your child understands

the main facts and events that occurred. This will open up an opportunity for discussion on many relatedsubjects.

JOINT ACTIVITY: Relevant Topics

Below is a list of keywords that you and your child can discuss. Keep in mind that some children

may not want to discuss every keyword. This is okay. You can read these terms to your child and

have them choose which keywords they would like to discuss or know more about. If needed,

look up information on the Internet, at your local library or school library.

The Taliban The Pentagon Democracy

Afghanistan World Trade Center President George W. Bush

Terrorist Ground Zero Vice President Dick Cheney

Osama Bin Laden Police Department Colin Powell, Secretary of State

Al Qaeda Fire Department Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense

Chemical Weapon Bunker Gear John Ashcroft, U.S. Attorney General

Nuclear Weapon Protective Mask Tom Ridge, Homeland Security

Biological Weapon Asbestos Rudolph W. Giuliani

Anthrax EPA Governor George E. PatakiIslam FBI United Nations (UN)

Muslim CIA NATO

Immigration Visa U.S. Coast Guard Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines

Washington DC U.S. Customs Service Special Operations Forces (SOF)

New York City CDC Operation Enduring Freedom

A DAY WE WILL REMEMBER The Facts


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A DAY WE WILL REMEMBER The Facts

It is important to remember what happened on September 11, 2001. Terrorists hijacked

(took over) four airplanes. Two planes were flown into the World Trade Center in New

York and another was flown into the Pentagon in Washington DC. Passengers on the fourth

plane stopped another terrorist attack from happening when their plane crashed inPennsylvania.

Although many people were killed on September 11, thousands were saved thanks to the

rescuers that came to help. Heroes such as firefighters, police, emergency medical

technicians, paramedics, doctors and brave citizens saved many lives.

1. You can show your appreciation to the heroes of September 11 by drawing or writing

a tribute below. Use another sheet of paper if you need more room.

2. Draw or write a thank you to the people who continue to help save lives each and

every day.


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A DAY WE WILL REMEMBER Where Were You?

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 were a defining moment in American history just like the

attack on Pearl Harbor or the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Our country and our lives will be

forever changed by these events. Decades later, many who were alive at the time of President Kennedys

assassination can remember where they were and what they were doing the moment they heard the news.

For children, however, the significance of such an event may not be immediately understood and may not

leave a lasting impression. It is important for them to remember the events of September 11 and their own

personal experiences. The following activities will help you and your child reflect on where you were

when you first heard about the terrorist attacks.

Parent Activity: Reflections

On a separate sheet of paper, answer the following questions. Have your child work on his or her section

as well. When you are both finished, discuss your answers. Be sure to save your responses, which can be

used in the Joint Activity below.

1. Describe where you were when the terrorist attacks occurred.

2. How did you first hear about them?

3. What were you doing when you first heard the news?

JOINT ACTIVITY: A Day In History Scrapbook

Together, create a scrapbook of your familys personal

memories of September 11, 2001. You can either buy a

scrapbook or make one yourself. Inside, include pictures

of yourself, your child, your family and your friends

taken as closely to the September 11 date as possible.

Also put newspaper, magazine and Internet articles,

photographs and other information related to the events

of September 11 inside your scrapbook. Dont forget

to include a section where you can add your and your

childs answers to the A Day We Will Remember

activities. When you are finished creating yourscrapbook, store it in a cool, dry place away from

sunlight. Who knows, one day your grandchildren will

be able to read it!


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A DAY WE WILL REMEMBER Where Were You?

September 11, 2001 is a day that many people will never forget. In the future, your children

will read about what happened in their history books. Below are some questions that will

help you remember what happened on September 11. Answer the questions as best as you

can. When you are done, trade answers with an adult and talk about what you wrote. Youcan even place your answers in a scrapbook.

Where were you when you heard about the terrorist attacks?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who told you or how did you find out about the attacks?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What were you doing when you first heard about the terrorist attacks?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What did you do the rest of the day?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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Talking About Feelings With Your Child

Over the next few weeks and months, there are likely to be more developments related to the United States

war on terrorism. For example, the U.S. has been engaged in military action in Afghanistan, and threats of

additional terrorist attacks exist in our country. In order to understand how your child is reacting to these

events, it will be important to keep the lines of communication open. This means creating a comfortable

time and place for your child to talk with you about feelings, worries or concerns.

It will help if you

Pick a quiet place to talk, where there are few distractions (e.g., no television on).

Have a regular time to talk and share, such as after school or before dinner. Talking right

before bedtime may not be a good idea if your child is having trouble sleeping.

Speak with another adult before you talk with your child if you feel you are having trouble

with your own feelings.

Some children may be hesitant to tell parents how they are feeling because they see that their parents are

already upset. Remember, its okay for parents to express how they feel, but not to the extent that they

alarm their children. Do not feel that you have to pressure your child to talk about thoughts and feelings.

If you create an opportunity for your child to talk and try to be a good listener, your child will naturally

bring up things that are on his or her mind. Sometimes your childs concerns may have to do with the

terrorist attacks; other times they may focus on everyday events. By creating comfortable times to talk,

your child will tell you when things bother them.

Here are some guidelines you can use when talking to your child:

Listen to your childs feelings rather than controlling the conversation yourself.

Acknowledge and normalize your childs statements by making comments like these:

It sounds like you were very angry.

That part made you feel sad.

Its okay to feel that way.

Be neutral. Do not judge or criticize your child. Make comments like these:

Thats interesting.

Tell me more about it.

What do you mean?

Its okay to say I dont know if your child asks a question you cannot answer.

Pay attention to behaviors that show your child has strong feelings, such as these:

Fidgeting or squirming

Poor eye contact (doesnt look at you while talking)

Facial expressions that show anger, sadness or worry


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Talking About Feelings

When people heard about the terrorist attacks, they reacted in many different ways and had

many different types of feelings. Some of those feelings may have changed or gone away

after a few weeks or months. Complete the activities below to show your feelings about the

attacks.

1. Below are some pictures and words that describe how people felt after they heard about

the terrorist attacks on September 11. Circle the faces that describe how you felt when you

first heard about the attacks.

2. Below, draw how you feel now about the attacks. You can use the words or pictures from

above to help describe your feelings.

Afraid Angry Confused Disbelief Disgusted Enraged

Upset Guilty Horrified Hurt Lonely Nervous

Sad Scared Shocked Surprised Suspicious Worried


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Understanding Stress Reactions

After a disaster, children and adults may have a number of different reactions. Feelings of stress, upset,

anger, fear and shock are common and normal reactions to an abnormal event such as the terrorist attacks.

It is also common for children and adults to have a variety of reactions, and to have some days when they

are more upset than others. Feelings and reactions change over time.

Although stress reactions are common and normal, they can create problems for children and families. For

example, trouble concentrating can make it difficult for children to focus on schoolwork. Difficulty sleeping

may make children more tired and irritable than usual, causing more fights and arguments. Because stress

reactions can create problems in everyday living, most children will need some help from their parents

when they have stress reactions.

Nobody knows your child better than you. If you pay attention to how your child is reacting to things, you

will have a good idea of how to help your child. Over the next few months, many childrens reactions will

lessen. If your child still has a lot of stress-related reactions, or if these reactions create a problem for your

child, it will help to talk to a school counselor or mental health professional.

Keep in mind that if a child was experiencing stress prior to the attacks, he or she will be particularly

vulnerable to experiencing stress in this aftermath period. Also, if other attacks or distressing events occur

in the next few months, many children and adults will re-experience some of their initial stress reactions. If

you are unsure about how your child is feeling at some point in the future, you can repeat the activities in

this section.

Parent Activity: Evaluate Your Childs Stress

These activities will help you recognize the most common kinds of stress reactions children have and to

see which reactions your child is experiencing, if any. On the left side of (Parent) Page 14 is a list ofcommon stress reactions. Check the ones you see in your child. After you are done, have your child

complete their activities on (Child) Pages 13 and 15 (younger children may need assistance). When your

child finishes, review their responses and compare them to yours.

Use the right side of Page 14 as an Answer Key to identify your childs responses from Page 15. This

will help you recognize the types of stress your child is experiencing and direct you to the topics that will

help your child cope with that type of stress. For example, if your child circled YES to Question #3, he

or she may be having problems re-experiencing the attacks. You should refer to the recommended

coping topics on the right side of Page 14. In general, the Things You Can Do topics are helpful for all

children. If your child has specific stress reactions, you can refer to the Special Situations topics for

help.

JOINT ACTIVITY: Group Conversation

The purpose of this activity is to let your child know that they are not alone in their reactions and fears

in the wake of the attacks. Have other families with children meet in a relaxed atmosphere to discuss

their reactions and thoughts surrounding the event. You can have the children choose the topics of

interest and concern. If you wish, food and beverages can be served.


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Understanding Stress - Measure Your Stress

Below is a ruler that will help you measure your feelings. How scared or upset are you

because of the terrorist attacks? Read the ruler first. Then, starting from the bottom, color

in the ruler to the number that best describes how you are feeling. The number 1 means you

feel very little stress. The number 12 means you feel a lot of stress and need help.

Im really, really scared HELP! Too much stress!

and upset. I need help.

Im very scared and upset. Very Much

I need extra help to get

through this.

A Lot

Im scared, but Ill be okay

Somewith a little help.

Im a little scared, but Im okay. A Little Bit

Nothing scares or bothers me. Not At All


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Understanding Stress Reactions

Below on the left side is a list of common stress reactions children have following traumatic events. Check

the reactions, if any, you have noticed in your child over the past few weeks. On the right side is an

Answer Key for (Child) Page 15. It will help you recognize your childs stress reactions and provide a

list of recommended coping topics.

Fears and Worries Childs Questions: #5, 14

My child is afraid of or worried about:

Being alone or sleeping alone. See Sections on:

Separating from a parent or loved one. Fears and Worries

Planes or travel. Talking about Feelings

Buildings collapsing or being bombed. How to Cope

People who remind them of the terrorists. Questions and Answers

Child is re-experiencing the attacks Childs Questions: #1, 2, 3, 4, 11

My child.

Talks about the attacks a lot or asks many questions. See Sections on: Has distressing dreams or nightmares. Intrusive Thoughts and Dreams

Acts or feels as if an attack is happening again. Talking about Feelings

Cant stop thinking about what happened. How to Cope

Avoidance or emotional numbing Childs Questions: #6, 7, 8, 13

My child

Isnt interested in their usual activities and friends. See Sections on:

Is quiet and withdrawn. How to Cope

Has trouble feeling happy or other positive emotions. Talking About Feelings

Has trouble remembering things. Dealing with Loss and Sadness

Avoids anything that reminds them of the event. Fears and Worries

Physical Symptoms Childs Questions: #9, 10, 12, 15

My child

Has difficulty falling or staying asleep. See Sections on:

Startles more easily than usual. Staying Physically Healthy

Has difficulty concentrating. Intrusive Thoughts and Dreams

Is more irritable than usual. Reducing Exposure

Has physical complaints like stomach or head aches. How to Cope

Other Reactions (a change from before attacks) Childs Questions: #16, 17, 18My child

Has angry outbursts. See Sections on:

Has problems eating (too much or too little). Managing Anger

Feels sad. Dealing with Loss and Sadness

Acts like a younger child (sucks thumb, etc.). How to Cope

Normal Routines

On a scale of 1-12, (1 being the lowest and 12 highest),

my childs overall stress level is: _________


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Understanding Stress

The sentences below ask about your thoughts and feelings about the terrorist attacks. Show

how you have been thinking and feeling for the past few weeks by circling YES or NO

for each sentence.

1. I get scared, afraid or upset when I think about the attacks. YES NO

2. I keep thinking about what happened. YES NO

3. I think about the attacks, even when I dont want to. YES NO

4. I have bad dreams. YES NO

5. I worry that another attack or something bad might happen. YES NO

6. I dont enjoy the things I usually like to do (hobbies, friends, etc.) YES NO

7. I feel that people really dont understand how I feel now. YES NO

8. I feel so scared, upset or sad that I cant even talk or cry. YES NO

9. I feel more jumpy and nervous now than before the attacks. YES NO

10. I have not been sleeping well. YES NO

11. Thoughts or feelings about the attacks get in the way of my YES NO

remembering things, like what I learned at school.

12. It is hard to pay attention in school. YES NO

13. I try to stay away from things that remind me of the attacks. YES NO

14. I worry about things that didnt bother me before, like flying YES NO

on a plane or being in a tall building.

15. I have more stomachaches, headaches or other sick feelings YES NO

since the attacks.

16. I have been doing things now that I wouldnt do before, like YES NO

getting into fights, talking back or disobeying more.

17. I get mad or angry at friends and family more than usual. YES NO

18. I feel sad about all the things that have happened YES NO

(Adapted from the Reaction Index by Frederick, 1985)


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How Does Your Child Cope?

Everyone has their own ways of coping with stressful events. Some ways of coping are positive and more

effective than others. For example, some positive ways to cope with stressful events include seeking

support from others, solving a problem, trying to remain calm and trying to look at the positive side of

things. On the other hand, some ways of coping can be negative and usually do not help a difficult situation.

Yelling, getting angry and blaming others are all examples of negative ways of coping. These ways ofcoping can lead to new problems.

Try to encourage your child to use positive ways of coping when dealing with upsetting events related to

the terrorist attacks. The activities in this section will help you identify how your child is coping with

recent events and encourage positive ways of coping. On the next page are some questions about the ways

your child tries to cope. Have your child answer the questions in a quiet place. When your child is

finished, go over the answers together.

Parent Activity: Identifying How Your Child Copes

While your child is completing their activity, think about how he or she usually copes with bad events.

Below, write in the positive and negative ways your child copes.

Positive Ways My Child Copes Negative Ways My Child Copes

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

JOINT ACTIVITY: Evaluate How Your Child Copes

Review your childs responses together and talk about them. Items #3, 6, 9 and 12 are positive coping

strategies that you can encourage your child to use. For example, item #3 reflects having a positive

outlook and item #6 reflects problem solving as well as talking about things that are upsetting. In

addition, item #9 reflects keeping calm and item #12 reflects seeking support and comfort from

others. These coping strategies can help your child deal with stress better. Additional ideas for coping

are covered in other sections of this book. Seeking information and finding distraction can also be

effective ways of coping for some children.

The remaining items on the childs page (#1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 11) are negative ways of coping. They

usually dont help a difficult situation and sometimes can make it worse. For example, items #1 and 2

reflect social withdrawal, items #4 and 5 reflect blaming self or others, item #7 reflects wishful

thinking, items #8 and 11 reflect angry feelings and item #10 reflects feeling helpless. If your

child circled some of these items, you might want to help him or her focus on other ways of coping with

stress. Again, some sections in this book will give you some good ideas.


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How Do I Cope With Things That Happen?

Here is a list of things that children do to solve problems or feel better when bad things

happen. Think about what you have done to feel better about the recent terrorist attacks.

Circle YES or NO for each to show whether or not you did that to feel better about what has

happened.

Did you do this?

1. I stayed by myself. YES NO

2. I kept quiet about the bad things that happened. YES NO

3. I tried to see the good side of things. YES NO

4. I blamed myself for causing the bad things that happened. YES NO

5. I blamed someone other than the terrorists for causing YES NO

the bad things that happened.

6. I tried to fix the bad things by doing something or talking YES NO

to someone.

7. I wished the bad things had never happened. YES NO

8. I yelled, screamed or got mad. YES NO

9. I tried to calm myself down. YES NO

10. I didnt do anything because the bad things couldnt YES NO

be fixed.

11. I got mad or angry at others. YES NO

12. I tried to feel better by spending time with others like my YES NO

family, grownups or friends.

(This was adapted from the KIDCOPE, with the permission of Anthony Spirito.)


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Things That Can Help - Normal Routines

One of the most upsetting aspects of disasters and traumatic events for children and adults is that they

shake peoples feelings of safety and security. Helping your child feel safe and secure after a traumatic

event will help your child feel less distressed. One of the ways to help your child cope is to get your child

back into his or her normal routine.

Everybody has a normal routine that they more or less follow on a daily basis. Some have different

routines for weekends and for weekdays. Resuming normal activities and routines will give your child a

sense of comfort, as their day becomes more predictable. This familiar environment will help your child

feel safer and more secure. It will also help to distract your child from feelings of distress. This section is

designed to help you and your child identify a normal routine.

It will also be helpful to identify and encourage your childs favorite everyday activities. Before your child

begins working on the next page, you can make a photocopy of the page and let him or her complete the

same activities for both normal weekday and weekend routines. For younger kids, this may be best done as

a joint activity.

Parent Activity: Identifying Your Normal Routines

What are your normal routines? On a sheet of paper, list them. Include what activities you do and the times

that you typically do them. It may be the case that you have already returned to your normal routines. If so,

highlight any activities that are different now for you and your family than before the attacks (e.g., more

television viewing). Keep a separate list for your weekday and weekend routines. When you work on the

joint activity with your child, see if you can suggest some favorite everyday activities to add to both of your

normal routines that do not take up a lot of time. For example, you can ride bicycles; or play catch, cards,

board games or ping-pong.

JOINT ACTIVITY: Plan Some Fun Activities

Together, review your childs normal routine list from Page 19. Have your child highlight or mark with

a star his or her favorite everyday activities. Together, make a list of favorite activities you and your

child enjoy doing together. Then, add some of these favorite everyday activities to both of your normal

routines that you will enjoy doing.

If you can, take out your daily planner or calendar and, along with your child, plan the next week or two.

Write in or draw each favorite everyday activity that is planned. You can update your schedule periodically

with different activities.

* A good idea is to let your child create his or her own calendar. Have them write in or draw their

schedule and add in each planned favorite everyday activity. You can then hang your childs calendar

in an easily viewable place, such as on a refrigerator door.


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Things That Can Help - Normal Routines

What is your normal routine? On the left side, list things that you do on a normal day.

When you are done, complete the clocks on the right side. Draw in the missing hands on

each clock to show what time you normally do the listed activity.

What I normally do Complete the clocks

In the morning:

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

In the afternoon:

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

In the evening:__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

Before bedtime:

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

What time I normally wake up

What time I normally eat lunch

What time I normally go to bed


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Things That Can Help - Reducing Exposure

Another way to help children cope with the terrorist attacks is to reduce their exposure to upsetting images

of the attacks or to things that resemble the attacks. Visual images are ways of re-experiencing the

event. For example, after the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City, children who watched

television programs with images of the bombing and stories of the victims families had more distress and

fears than children who did not watch much television.

Because of the distressing aspect of television images, your child will feel better if you limit viewing of

terrorist-related programs. This is very important now when scenes of war, bombings and other terrorist-

related events are reported in the news. Upsetting images can lead to increased fears, bad dreams and

trouble sleeping. The kinds of TV shows to limit include the news and special programs about the terrorist

attacks or about the victims and families who were hurt. It will also help to limit television shows, movies

and even video games that have a lot of violence.

If you are unsure about the content of a show or movie, check the programs ratings in the newspaper or on

the Internet before viewing.* You can also periodically ask if there is anything on television that your child

has questions about or that bothers them. You can also watch a show or movie with your child and turn theprogram off if it becomes upsetting. An even better idea is to limit television and media use in general, if

this is possible. Instead, encourage your child to participate in other fun activities like reading, sports,

community events, outdoor activities or card games. These activities will provide a distraction from upsetting

events and help your child feel more in control. You can use your childs responses from the next page to

help you find alternative activities for them to do.

* Helpful websites for parents include the Yahoo! industry ratings for television shows (http://tv.yahoo.com)

and movies (http://movies.yahoo.com). Another good website is the National Institute for Media and the Family

(www.mediafamily.org), which provides ratings of the amount and portrayal of violence for most television

shows and movies.

Parent Activity: What Does Your Child Watch?

Identify your childs favorite television shows and movies. You can even watch the programs or movies

with your child. Look the shows up in a newspaper or on the Internet to see their violence ratings and

recommended viewing ages. If a program or movie appears unhealthy, limit your childs viewing of it, or

encourage other shows or activities.

JOINT ACTIVITY: Family Day

Need an excellent alternative to sitting around the house, watching television? Create a Family Day!

Have your family pick one day out of the week or month and set it aside to spend quality time together.

Do not let job responsibilities or schoolwork interfere with your day. Choose fun activities that everyone

will enjoy. For example, have a family picnic, visit a park, museum or aquarium, go to a beach, take a

scenic day trip or volunteer for a community service project.


22/4221

Things That Can Help - What I Like To Do

Fill in the blanks. Tell how many days a week you do each activity listed.

ACTIVITY DAYS PER WEEK

Watch TV _________ Listen to music _________

Play with friends _________

Do family activities _________

Read a book _________

Play videogames _________

Play sports _________

List your favorites for each category:

My favorite hobbies are: _____________________

_____________________

_____________________

My favorite sports are: _____________________

_____________________

_____________________

My favorite family activities are: __________________________________________

_____________________

My favorite musicians are: _____________________

_____________________

_____________________

My favorite books are: _____________________

__________________________________________


23/4222

Things That Can Help - Staying Physically Healthy

Stress can affect people physically as well as mentally. After a distressing event, many people do not feel

like eating, or may have trouble sleeping. These changes make it harder for a person to cope with stress.

Just as it is important to resume normal everyday activities, it is also important to stay active and healthy.

This is especially true for children. A child who is healthy and physically fit will find it easier to cope with

stress. In fact, all of us do better when we feel strong and healthy.

The activities in this section are designed to help you identify changes in your childs eating, sleeping and

exercise habits. They are also designed to help you get your child back on track. Have your child

complete the activity on Page 23 while you finish the one below.

Parent Activity: Track Your Childs Health

Observe your child over the next few days. Note any changes in your childs health behaviors since the

time of the terrorist attacks. Write down any changes you have noticed in the following categories:

Eating meals: Sleeping or resting:

Exercise: Increased complaints:

JOINT ACTIVITY: Coping Chart

Take a look at the physical changes you have noticed in your child. If there are areas that need

improvement, work together on creating a Coping Chart. List things you and your child can do to

cope. Include some of your childs answers from Page 23. Together complete the chart. Some

examples are:

Eating (lack of appetite):

Drink a milkshake with fruit

Take vitamins

Have a regular family meal time

Purchase healthy snacks (raisins, carrots)

Exercise (lack of):

Join a sports league or youth group

Learn a new sport (tennis or dance lessons)

Develop a personal exercise routine

Do outdoor activities (hiking, biking, etc.)

Trouble falling or staying asleep:

Sleep with light on or a night-light

Snuggle with a favorite doll

Play soft music

Count backward from 100

Increased physical complaints:

Have child checked by family doctor

Practice relaxation to reduce stress (see Page 35)


24/4223

Things That Can Help - Staying Physically Healthy

By keeping healthy, you can deal better with the things that make you stressed or worried.

In the boxes below, write or draw what you do to keep healthy for each category. Some

examples are given to help you get started.

Apples

Ride my bike

How I relax before bedtime

Listen to music

How I keep my body healthy

Brush my teeth

My favorite ways to exercise

My favorite healthy foods


25/4224

Fears and Worries - What You Can Do

After a traumatic event, children and adults may feel more fearful and worried. This is especially true with

events that are unpredictable, such as terrorist attacks. Since September 11, many children and adults have

fears and worries about their personal safety or the safety of loved ones. It will be useful to understand the

kinds of things your child worries about. This will enable you to help your child cope with fears and

worries. It will also help you to reassure your child. It is a good idea to repeat this section later on, as thefocus of your childs worries may change over time.

Keep in mind that fears and worries can be learned through television and other media sources. Because of

this, we have included an activity to reduce media use (see Pages 20-21). You might also find a relaxation

exercise useful (see Page 35). In addition, be careful to monitor what you say to other adults about your

worries when your child may be listening, as this can communicate new worries and concerns to your

child.

Parent Activity: What Are Your Worries?

Children often learn about potential sources of fear and worry by observing others, including their parents

and teachers. Because of this, it will be helpful to identify some of the things you worry about, and that you

might unintentionally communicate to your child. The terrorist attacks have brought about a whole new set

of fears and worries that may not have been present before September 11. On a sheet of paper, write down

the fears or worries you currently have (resulting from the terrorist attacks). Use the following categories

as a guide:

Work Family Friends World

Travel Health Children Other

JOINT ACTIVITY: Develop a Worry Buster Plan

Along with your child, develop a Worry Buster plan. Use a separate sheet of paper. For each worry

that you and your child have listed in the worry activities, develop a coping plan to deal with that

worry. For example:

Worry Buster Plan:

Create an index card for your child to carry with

emergency phone numbers to reach the parent.

Give a copy to the teacher and school.

Childs Worry:

Something will happen when the child is in school

and he or she wont be able to reach the parent.

Worry BusterWorry


26/4225

SCHOOL

WORLD

HEALTH

FRIENDS &

FAMILY

TRAVEL

PETS

Other Concerns

Fears and Worries - What You Can Do

It is important that you talk with a parent or other adult about some of the worries or fears you have about

different things. A worry is when you think something bad might happen. For example, you might have

a worry that you will get a bad test score. In each section below, list some of your worries or fears that

bother you.


27/4226

Intrusive Thoughts and Dreams - What You Can Do

Sometimes after a traumatic event, children keep thinking about the event or see images related to the

event in their mind, even though they dont want to. For example, a child might keep thinking about the

World Trade Center Towers collapsing, or might visualize planes hitting a building, even when they are in

school or doing other activities. Sometimes these intrusive thoughts happen at bedtime and make it difficult

for children to fall or stay asleep.

Although these stress reactions are common, especially during the first weeks or months after an upsetting

event, the unwanted images may be very distressing. If your child is having these kinds of thoughts or

images, or is having trouble sleeping, the activities in this section may be very helpful. It will also be

helpful to limit television viewing (see Reducing Exposure, Page 20), encourage good health (see Staying

Physically Healthy, Page 22) and encourage your child to do more enjoyable things (see Normal Routines,

Page 18).

Another way to help stop intrusive thoughts is to encourage your child to re-direct thinking away from the

upsetting thoughts and focus on something more positive. If the intrusive thoughts happen at bedtime, it

will help to have a routine that focuses on something pleasant and distracting, such as a bedtime story.

JOINT ACTIVITY: STOP Bad Thoughts

Ask your child if he or she has any thoughts about the terrorist attacks, or if any pictures or images

come into their head that bothers them. If so, tell your child that this is very normal after a bad thing

happens, such as the terrorist attacks. Find out when these bad thoughts or pictures normally occur (e.g.

at bedtime, in school, etc.).

Next, explain to your child that when they have bad thoughts or images, he or she should STOP and

think about something else. Tell your child that you will make a STOP sign together to remind them toSTOP when they are having bothersome thoughts and do something else.

Together, complete the next page. You may want to photocopy the page before you work on it so your

child will be able to carry a copy with them. On the top half of the page is a STOP sign. Let your child

color it in. On the bottom half is a space for you and your child to write down OTHERthings your

child can do when they start to have bothersome thoughts. This may depend on whether the thoughts

occur during the day or at night. The following are some examples to give you and your child some

ideas.

DAYTIME NIGHT-TIME or BEDTIME

Call a friend Read a story

Call a parent Listen to musicRead a book Count backward from 100

Ride a bike Practice relaxation (see Page 35)

Hug a parent Draw a picture

Sing or hum a song Have parent tuck you into bed

(Adapted from Robin Gurwitch, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center)


28/4227

When You Have Bad Thoughts and Dreams:

and think of OTHER things to do.

DAYTIME NIGHT-TIME or BEDTIME

____________________ ____________________

____________________ ____________________

____________________ ____________________

____________________ ____________________

____________________ ____________________


29/4228

Managing Anger - What You Can Do

It is not unusual for children and adults to have angry or irritable feelings after a disaster or distressing

event. Often, children may want to blame others for bad things that happened, or may just be more

irritable than usual. It is understandable that many people are angry after the terrorist attacks. However, it

is important that children and adults find ways to cope with angry feelings.

If your child is feeling angry or irritable, explain that it is okay to feel that way. This is very normal.

Explain that it is NOT okay is to take out angry feelings on other people. For example, it is okay to feel

angry, but not okay to fight and argue with others. Also, it is not okay to do something mean to someone

who reminds you of the terrorists.

There are two kinds of activities in this section. The first activity focuses on how to resolve conflicts and

help your child manage angry feelings and disagreements with others. The second activity focuses on

multicultural awareness - that is, understanding others who are different. This activity is meant to help

children accept others and to keep them from striking out at people who may remind them of the terrorists.

Parent Activity: Developing an Anger Management Plan

Keep a brief diary about your childs behavior over the next week or two. Take notes on what happens

before, during and after each angry outburst. Use this information to develop an anger management

plan.

Before With whom does your child get angry? What situations trigger the anger?

DuringWhat does your child do when angry? What is the behavior?

After What happens after? Do you discipline your child? Do you ignore the behavior?

If your child gets angry or annoyed at the same person, or in the same situation, try changing the situationto prevent the angry outbursts. For example, if your child gets angry when a sibling changes the television

channel, it may help to have family rules about television viewing. You can even have your child talk

through angry feelings with the person who is the target.

Also, look at what happens after your child gets angry. Does your child get his or her way? Try not to

ignore the angry behavior or give in to your childs misbehavior. Instead, calmly tell them that feeling

angry is okay, but acting angry is not. Have your child sit quietly until they calm down and then talk

over what is bothering them to see if the situation can be resolved. If this does not work, you may have to

discipline your child. For example, depending on your childs age, you can have them miss a favorite TV

show, go to bed a half hour earlier than usual or do an extra chore.

JOINT ACTIVITY: Role Playing

Ask your child to complete the activity on the following page. Afterward, go over your childs ideas

for positive things to do when feeling angry, and help identify additional things they can do. Then,

play a pretend game with your child. You pretend to do something annoying and your child has to

practice the STOP, LOOK and LISTEN ideas. Your child can also practice doing something other than

getting mad. Involve other family members in the game as well.


30/4229

Managing Anger - Conflict Resolution

Since the terrorist attacks, many people have felt angry or irritable. You might have these

feelings, too. It is okay to feel angry, but it is not okay to fight or argue with someone

because you are upset or angry at someone or something else.

Sometimes you may feel angry with your family, teachers, friends or classmates. If you areupset and angry with someone, or get into an argument, here are a few steps to remember

that will help you solve a problem without violence:

- what you are doing and count to 10 slowly

- at each other. Focus your attention on the other person.

- to each others stories about what is wrong and think together ofa possible solution.

Below are some of the things people do when they get angry. These are bad ways to

cope with angry feelings.

Below, draw or write some good things you can do when you feel angry or get into an

argument with someone. If you need some ideas, ask an adult for help.

STOP

LOOK

LISTEN


31/4230

Managing Anger - Multicultural Awareness

One result of the terrorist attacks has been discrimination and even some harmful acts against people who

look Arabic. Although many people are angry or afraid, discrimination and harmful acts are not positive

ways to cope with these feelings.

Parents are powerful role models for children. Children can learn from their parents both good and badqualities. That is why it is important for you (as a parent) to think about what you say and do in front of

your child. Is there anything, even unintentional, that might communicate to your child that certain people

or groups of people are not to be trusted or respected? This is a good time to tell your child that people of

all races and colors should be respected and treated fairly, even if they seem different.

The term Arab-American is used to identify Americans who can trace their ancestry to, or who immigrated

from, Arabic-speaking areas of the Middle East. This can include individuals from a number of countries,

religions, cultures and ethnic backgrounds. To many Americans, Arabic customs, beliefs and way of life

seem strange and foreign. Many children and adults are naturally fearful of people and things they do not

understand. If your child is unfamiliar with Arabic culture, this can lead to uncomfortable feelings,

nervousness or fear. The recent terrorist attacks also can increase feelings of fear or anger. One way tohelp children cope with these feelings is to increase their awareness of Arabs and Arab culture.

JOINT ACTIVITY: Increase Awareness Through Research

Help your child do some research to promote a better understanding of Arab culture. Use resources

from a library, books, the Internet or even interviews. Let your child identify and choose an Arabic

country and write a report on it. Make sure your child talks about the countrys geography, weather,

system of government, economy and history, as well as its populations culture, ethnic background

and religious heritage. If your child is too young to write a report, you can have them draw a pictureof an object that they came across in their research.

JOINT ACTIVITY: Family Tree

Most Americans, or their ancestors, originally

came from another country. Where did your

family come from? Help your child trace his or

her own familys history and create a family tree.

Go back as far as possible. Interviews with

relatives will help. You can even have family

members make a cassette or video recording

explaining their life histories.


32/4231

When the terrorist attacks occurred, many people felt angry and afraid. It is okay to feel this

way, but it is not okay to say or do mean things to people who remind you of the terrorists.

Because the terrorists came from Arabic nations, many people are mad at or afraid of people

who look Arabic. But there are many, many Arabs in the world and very, very few terror-

ists. Many Arabs feel bad about the terrorist attacks.

There are many Arab-Americans in the United States. Arab-Americans are people who

came from, or whose families came from, an Arabic country, but are American just like you.

You must be careful not to take out any angry feelings on people who look Arabic or who

remind you of the terrorists. If you have an Arab-American friend, you should continue to

be that persons friend. Remember, the President and our government are doing all they can

to catch the terrorists; that is their job. It is your job to be a good American and be accepting

of others.

Complete the activity below:

OUTSIDE

Look in the mirror and write down all the things

you can see about yourself on the outside.

Example: Hair color, eye color, etc.

INSIDE

Now, close your eyes and think about what you

are really like on the inside. Write these qualities

down. Example: Friendly, smart, etc.

OUTSIDE

Write down all the things about your new friend

you can see from the outside.

INSIDE

Now, introduce yourself to them and write down

what they are like on the inside.

MAKE A NEW FRIEND

Find someone in your school or neighborhood you do not know.

Managing Anger - Multicultural Awareness


33/4232

Coping with Loss and Sadness - What You Can Do

After traumatic events, many children and adults have feelings of sadness and loss. This is very common.

In fact, since the terrorist attacks, many children and adults report feeling this way.

Some children and adults feel very sad because they lost family members, co-workers or friends in the

World Trade Center, the Pentagon or in a hijacked plane. Most people did not lose family members orfriends, but they still feel sad.

There are many reasons why people feel sad. Sometimes it is because they feel badly for the people who

lost family members and friends. Sometimes it is because they dont know what to do to help the situation.

Sometimes it is because things just dont seem the same since the terrorist attacks. The attacks have

changed our usual way of life.

The activity in this section will help you and your child identify and talk about feelings of sadness. It will

also identify things to do that will help your child to cope with sadness and loss.

In general, some things that can help children when they feel sad are:

Focusing on the positive things they still have (e.g., health, loved ones, etc.)

Talking to a friend or family member when feeling blue.

Doing activities they usually enjoy (see Pages 18 21 for ideas)

Doing things to help others (e.g., writing letters, volunteering, donating money; see

Page 39 of the Questions and Answers for some ideas)

JOINT ACTIVITY: Positive Coping Ideas

Together with your child, complete the activity

on the next page about losses and the things

they still have. Focusing on the things they

did not lose is a positive way of coping with

sadness and loss. Your child may need help with

this activity, because some of the things can be

hard to name or draw (e.g., loss of sense of

safety). Once your child is finished, discuss the

answers. Point out that it hurts to lose somethingimportant. Also, talk about some positive things

your child can do to feel better (see above

suggestions).

may have lost some thingsecause of the terrorist

ttacks, but I still have


34/4233

Coping with Loss and Sadness- What You Can Do

Many people have had feelings of sadness and loss since the terrorist attacks. In the space

below, write down or draw a picture of some of the things you lost because of the attacks.

Some things may not be easy to name and may not be something that you can see or touch,

such as you do not feel safe anymore. Write these down too.

1. Write or draw a picture of some of the things you lost because of the terrorist attacks.

If you lost nothing, draw or write about things other people lost.

2. What are some of the things you did not lose because of the terrorist attacks? Draw

or write about some of the positive things you still have. For example, you can write:

I may have lost some things because of the terrorist attacks, but I still have....


35/4234

Common Questions and Answers

My child is worried about another terrorist attack. What should I say?

Be honest with your child, but also be reassuring. Tell your child something like this:

Being scared of another terrorist attack is normal. Many people are nervous because another attack may

happen. However, everyone is working very hard to keep you, your family and your friends safe. Peoplelike the President and other leaders, the military, the police, fire department, FBI, CIA, Coast Guard, etc.

They are all working together to stop another attack.

You might also point out that the military conflict (our attack on the terrorists) is very far away. You can

also say that the President has asked all of us to be brave and go about our usual activities. The President

feels safe and is doing all of his usual activities, too.

Children are often reassured by hearing that their parents and family members love them and will do

everything they can to keep them safe. Older children also may appreciate discussions of the specific steps

that have been taken to improve security in places like airports, public buildings, schools and sports stadiums.

(Some of this advice is adapted from the Web page by the National Association for School Psychologists.

For more detail, see http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/children_war.html)

My child is nervous about flying on an airplane. What can I do?

Before a flight, talk to your child about safety issues. Let them express their feelings and fears. Tell your

child that you understand why they are nervous about flying on an airplane. Point out that you would not

go on an airplane yourself if you didnt think it was safe. Reassure your child about all the extra steps that

have been taken to keep travelers safe (such as extra security at the airport and on the airplanes, checking

out people who look or behave suspiciously).

Another good idea is to bring relaxing and distracting activities for your child to do during travel. This

might be a favorite toy or doll, a portable CD or tape player, a book, a deck of cards, or a hand-held video

game player. This will help them feel more secure. You can also get ideas from the activities in the other

sections of this book such as How Does Your Child Cope (Page 16) and Fear and Worries (Page 24).

The relaxation exercise on the next page may also help.

How can I help my child feel less nervous when Im on a business trip?

If you travel for work, stay in closer touch with family members. You can do this by calling home or

sending e-mails on a frequent basis. If you can, choose a specific time to call or send an e-mail each day

you are away. You might also give your child your cell phone number, or another good number to call, if

they get scared or worried.

While you are away, make sure your child stays active with lots of activities. You might also give your

child a project to finish before you get back, such as drawing a poster or completing a list of chores around

the house. Spend some extra time with your child when you return, and do a fun activity together.


36/4235

How can I teach my child to relax?

Use the Turtle Technique

Talk to your child about what turtles do when they feel scared. Tell your child that turtles go into their

shells to calm down. Say that he or she can also create a shell to relax in when feeling mad, scared or

stressed. Your child can create a shell by doing any of the following: Putting his or her head down, going

to a quiet corner or a separate room, or just closing his or her eyes. Once your child is in his or her shell, itis important to relax. Here are some things that can help:

1) Sit in a comfortable position, with feet flat on the floor.

2) Take a couple of deep breaths; feel your stomach go in and out like a balloon

3) Count to ten or twenty very slowly.

4) Imagine something you really enjoy, such as sitting on the beach in the sun, or floating on

water, or some other positive, calm image.

5) Remind your child that he or she can practice before sleep or when nervous or scared.

How can I tell when to seek professional help for my child?

It is a good idea to seek the help of a mental health professional when either your child has a number of

stress reactions (see Page 14) that dont seem to be getting better or going away, or your child is so bothered

by the terrorist attacks or related events that he or she is having a very hard time in school, at home or with

friends.

* This advice applies to adults as well. If your stress reactions persist or interfere with your everyday

functioning, you should seek professional help.

How do I explain to my child why I choose to stay a part of the Fire Department?

Only you know the answer(s) to this question. Each individual has his or her own reasons for choosing to

be a member of the Fire Department. Below are some talking points that may help you explain some of

your reasoning to your child.

To be a member of the Fire Department is an honor and a privilege that I worked very hard to obtain.

Very few people pass the difficult written and physical tests. I am proud to be a part of the Fire Department.

I like to help others. Being a member of the Fire Department means that I get to help people and save

lives everyday. There is no better feeling than to help others who are in need and cannot help themselves.

This is not just a job, it is something I enjoy and want to do. The people I work with are like a family to

me, and we protect each other. I hope that when you grow up, you enjoy your job and the people you

spend your day with as much as I do.

My training and experience allow me to be a member of the Fire Department, but it is your willingness

to share me with the city that makes it possible. Thank you for your understanding and support, and for

allowing me to do what I love to do.


37/4236

What should I tell my child about the reasons for the terrorist attacks?

Many children want to know why the terrorists attacked the United States and why they dislike Americans.

These are not easy questions to answer, and the answers can be complicated. Many people have their own

beliefs and feelings about the attacks and the reasons behind them. Only the terrorists really know the

answers to these questions.

What we can give you are some talking points to use with your child that may help you answer questions

about the terrorists and their attacks. These are only suggestions; it is up to you to decide how you want to

discuss these questions with your child.

Why dont they like us?

There are many reasons why the terrorists do not like Americans or the United States, including:

They do not like our way of life because it is very different from theirs.

The terrorists do not believe in freedom or democracy.

The terrorists do not believe that women should be free and take part in government, business or

society.

The United States was built on freedom and democracy, and since the terrorists do not like these

ideas or our way of life, they do not like Americans or the United States.

Why did the terrorists do this?

You can explain to your child that most people accept or at least tolerate differences.

The United Nations (U.N.), for example, tries to resolve conflicts and differences that people and

countries have with each other in a peaceful way. The United States belongs to the U.N.

The terrorists do not accept or tolerate people who are different from themselves, and do not choose

to solve their conflicts peacefully. The terrorists are extremists. They use extreme methods, such as violence and terrorism, to hurt

those whom they do not like or who are different from them.

The terrorists thought that by attacking the United States, we would change the way we live and

become more like them. They were very wrong.

Why did we go to war?

You might discuss with your child that:

The people who did the bad things must be stopped.

We have gone to war against the terrorists to make sure that another attack like September 11 does

not happen again.

We must punish the people who committed these acts. Just like a criminal who goes to jail for

committing a crime and hurting people, the terrorists must be punished for their crimes and for

hurting so many people.

It may help to explain that the September 11 attacks were not the first time the terrorists had attacked

Americans or American interests (e.g., the bombing of the USS Cole a year ago, bombings of the

U.S. embassies in Africa, etc.).

We have to fight to protect Americans and American interests everywhere.


38/4237

Some Helpful Websites

Project Liberty Web Site

Information on Project Liberty services and resources. Links to web sites devoted to childrens issues.

www.projectliberty.state.ny.us

New York State Office of Mental Health

Age Related Reactions of Children to Disasterswww.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/crisis/crisiscounseling3.html

American Psychological Association

Various materials for parents and children and links to other sites.

www.apa.org/psychnet/coverage.html

National Association of School Psychologists

Children and Fear of War and Terrorism: Tips for Parents and Teachers

www.nasponline.org/NEAT/children_war.html

National Institute of Mental HealthHelping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters

Contains in-depth information on Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorderwww.nimh.nih.gov/

outline/responseterrorism.cfm

Public Broadcasting System

A Guide to Childrens Grief by Kenneth J. Doka

www.pbs.org/wnet/onourownterms/articles/children.html

www.nyc.gov/fdny

This website has great information about the NYC Fire Department;

specifically the Family Assistance Unit designed to meet your needs and the Counseling Service Unit - for any help.

You can also contact the Family Assistance Unit at:

(718) 999-1473

Or any questions can be answered by calling the

Counseling Service Unit at:

(212) 570-1693

Where Can I Find Additional Assistance?


39/4238

FDNY COUNSELING SERVICES UNIT LOCATIONS

The FDNY Counseling Service Unit (CSU) provides services to all personnel, including family members.

Appointments for individuals, couples, family and phone counseling are available Monday Friday from

8am to 6pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm, except where indicated. Outside referrals are also available.

MANHATTAN251 Lafayette Street, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10012

(212) 570-1693

24-Hour Phone Line

STATEN ISLAND1688 Victory Boulevard

Staten Island, NY 10314

(718) 815-4111

ORANGE COUNTYSt. James Episcopal Church

1 St. James Place (at S. Church St.)

Goshen, NY 10924

Monday and Thursday 10am6pm

(845) 294-5716

ROCKLAND COUNTY

Don Basco Retreat HouseMarian Shrine

Willow Grove Road

Stony Point, Rockland

By Appointment

(845) 294-5716

www.nyc.gov/fdny

FORT TOTTEN, QUEENSFort Totten, Building 413A

Bayside, NY 10314

(718) 352-2140

BRENTWOOD,SUFFOLK COUNTY

Crooked Hill Road

Brentwood, NY 11717

By Appointment

(631) 851-6888

PUTNAM COUNTY

Church of Holy Communion1055 Route 6

Mahopac, NY 10541

By Appointment

(845) 294-5716


40/4239

How Can I Help?

Every person is unique, and has different talents or things they are good at doing. Think about your talents

and the things that you do best. Then think of a creative way to use your talents to help others and support

America. For example, we, the authors of this book, used our talents to createHelping America Cope,

which is our way of fighting terrorism and helping those in need. Helping comes in many ways and

forms. You should do what you can to help, but stay within your limits. If you cannot help financially, findanother way, such as writing letters of support, volunteering your time or services, or creating a poster or

mural showing your support.

How can I help fight terrorism and support Americas troops overseas?

Many people have been asking how or what they can do to help fight terrorism. The fact is, everyone in

America is already helping. By simply going to work or school, and resuming your normal, everyday

activities, you are helping America fight back against terrorism. You can also help by showing support for

our country and our military personnel overseas. You can do this by:

Displaying the American flag or yellow ribbons in front of your house or on your cars.

Creating patriotic T-shirts and hats expressing your support of our country and troops.

Writing letters of support to your local military offices, police and fire departments and Congressional

representatives, thanking them for their assistance in fighting terrorism.

My child and I want to do something to help those in need. What can we do?

Those who have been personally affected by the attacks need our support and help. Helping others, especially

those in need, can help you and your child cope with your feelings as well. Here are some ideas for what

you can do to help those in need.

Adults: Donate money

Donate goods

Donate services

Give blood

Volunteer your time (for fundraisers and community projects)

You can also help by assisting your child in their activities, such as coordinating fundraising activities like

bake sales and car washes, assisting in transportation, mailing letters of support, etc.

Children: Donate money

Donate goods

Volunteer your time (for fundraising activities, community events)

Write letters or send drawings to those affected by the tragedy or to those who are

helping keep us safe (firefighters, police, etc.)

Fundraising: Fundraising can be fun! Use your talents and creativity to help raise money for those in need.

For example, if youre a good cook, hold a bake sale. If you like to make lemonade, have a lemonade

stand. If youre a good artist, paint pictures and sell them in your neighborhood. You can even organize a

car wash or school carnival to raise money. The ideas are unlimited!


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Questionnaire For Parents

We are interested in hearing your thoughts about this book and the New York City Fire Department. Please

complete the questionnaire below and send it back to us. Your evaluation and thoughts will help us pro-

duce better material in the future.

Please use the following scale to rate your experiences using this book.

Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

1 2 3 4 5

1. The information in the book was helpful. 1 2 3 4 5

2. The parent activities were informative. 1 2 3 4 5

3. I have felt better about things since using the book. 1 2 3 4 5

4. The child activities were constructive and easily understood. 1 2 3 4 5

5. The joint parent-child activities created a safety net for 1 2 3 4 5interaction and discussion.

6. My child has felt better about things since using this book. 1 2 3 4 5

7. I would recommend this book to other parents. 1 2 3 4 5

8. My overall evaluation of the book is positive. 1 2 3 4 5

9. What have you liked most about the support you have received?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

10. What needs would you like to see addressed by the Fire Department?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

11. Additional comments:__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Please mail to:

The Other Side of the Firehouse

251-Laffayette Street, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10012


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This book is made available by the generosity of all who gave contributions

of time and money to

THE SEPTEMBER 11th FUND

This fund was established by

The United Way of New York City

andThe New York Community Trust

The people of New York City will not be victims of this terrible tragedy,

but will become survivors who will be stronger and work together to rebuild.

Documents

Helping America Cope Full